Haroon Lorgat takes on the position as Cricket South Africa’s chief executive with his immediate goals being restoration of relationships and reputation.
That mending must take place on multiple fronts. At home with regards to Cricket SA’s image and reputation, which remains at a low ebb following the failure to adhere to corporate governance measures by Lorgat’s predecessor Gerald Majola.
On the international front Lorgat has to rebuild relations with the Indian board, which apparently were in danger of breaking down as a result of CSA appointing him. Lorgat’s relationship with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) was damaged during his tenure as chief executive of the International Cricket Council (ICC) when he apparently stood up to them about the Decision Review System and venues at the 2011 World Cup in India.
“CSA has not enjoyed the best of reputations over the last little while. Today must be the start of something new,” Lorgat said yesterday.
He takes up a three-year term, starting officially on August 1, but he already met with CSA’s operational staff yesterday morning. Cricket SA pushed ahead with Lorgat’s appoint following a rigorous – and lengthy – process that was started by the previous board in the wake of recommendations made by Judge Chris Nicholson’s enquiry last year and was only concluded on Saturday.
Lorgat said he is keen to meet with BCCI officials to ensure the good relations Cricket SA had with its Indian counterpart could be restored and improved. “There were certain issues, they raised with respect to issues I dealt with at the ICC and they complained that I shouldn’t have done. I said let the ethics officer (ICC have an independent ethics officer) deal with it and if it’s an issue where I overstepped and didn’t do right then I must pay the price. Fortunately the ethics officer dismissed those allegations,” said Lorgat.
“(The) BCCI is an important stakeholder. Even from a personal perspective I don’t want to be out of favour with someone who was a friend of mine. I want to understand what the issue is. I will do my very best to gather and understand what it is and to apologise if I have to. I did what I thought was best for the game of cricket, if I offended someone in that process they and I have to understand that.”
Cricket SA’s president Chris Nenzani stressed that Lorgat’s appointment was not influenced by the current crisis which has enveloped the BCCI and seen its president, N Srinivasan – viewed as the main instigator behind the BCCI’s complaints about Lorgat – forced to “step aside” while investigations take place into match fixing during the recent IPL tournament.
“We understand and appreciate the value of the friendship and historic relationship that exists between India and South Africa and we have no reason to believe (Lorgat’s) appointment is going to jeopardise that and we are going to work very hard to ensure that kind of relationship is maintained,” said Nenzani. “As to whether (the BCCI) had influence on our process, I do not think they had an influence. They raised their own concerns we stood on our own issues.”
Lorgat who previously served as Cricket SA’s treasurer and as head of the national selection panel before becoming the ICC’s CEO in 2008, emphasised the importance of strong corporate governance principles underpinning Cricket SA’s administration. “When it was first mooted that I make myself available, I indicated I would do it on condition of a new board restructured along the lines of the recommendations that came out of (the Nicholson) report,” Lorgat explained. “That is in place. I’m not concerned too much with governance because I think I’ve got people on that board that will ensure governance. Whilst I say I’m not worried it’s something we must all be conscience of.
“All those business principles that take corporates forward must be respected. I come from that sort of a background that’s where I’m trained, it’s almost second nature to me. It’s the way we operated at the ICC and that’s the way I will look to operate in Cricket South Africa.” - The Star